​National Highways South West said testing had found a number of columns needing immediate removal, describing the structural risk as serious enough to shut lanes without delay. The findings come during a period of severe weather, with high winds from Storm Bram already forcing the full closure of the M48 Severn Bridge. The Prince of Wales Bridge remains partially closed, with lanes 1 and 2 shut in both directions while engineers work on the structure. With two of three lanes blocked, traffic has quickly deteriorated into gridlock. Traffic is bumper to bumper from J26 Malpas to the Prince of Wales Bridge, with drivers reporting over two-hour delays, and some sections at a complete standstill.Queues have continued to extend westwards, now reaching Caerleon as congestion worsens through the afternoon. Earlier in the day, delays of more than 80 minutes eastbound were recorded, with average speeds dropping to 10 mph. Heavy disruption continues on both the M4 and M48, with the M48 suffering additional delays of up to 27 minutes westbound before its full closure. Storm Bram’s strong winds are the primary reason the M48 was shut, but widespread heavy rain has added further problems across Wales.Transport for Wales reported flooding between Holyhead and Bangor, causing cancellations and delays of up to 60 minutes on services across north-west Wales. With multiple closures, diversions, and restrictions in place, authorities are urging motorists to prepare for significant delays or avoid the bridges altogether if possible. Engineers are continuing safety checks on the affected lighting columns, with further structural assessments expected throughout the day. Removal work will begin immediately on columns identified as unsafe. National Highways says the priority is public safety, and restrictions will remain in place until the risk of collapse has been fully addressed. Drivers are advised to check live updates before travelling, allow extra time, and expect conditions to remain challenging while Storm Bram continues to impact the region.